Final Fantasy’s greatest strength has always been its characters. At its best, the hugely influential RPG series has always presented us with huge, diverse casts of playable characters, each of whom has a fleshed-out backstory and a real, concrete reason for fighting alongside the rest of the party.
But often overlooked are theFinal Fantasyside characters- those who aren’t necessarily part of the main story, even if they are playable. SomeFFside characters have personalities as strong, convictions as firm as the main cast of the game they appear in, and they stick in your mind long after you’vebeaten the final boss. These are some of the greatest side characters from acrossFinal Fantasyhistory.
10Biggs & Wedge Are Final Fantasy Icons
The Usual Suspects
Biggs and Wedge are one of those iconic duos- they can play anyone from Batman and Robin to Beavis and Butt-head. Taking their names from Luke Skywalker’s wingmen inStar Wars, Biggs and Wedge are the closest thingFFhas to recurring characters, appearing multiple times throughout the series, but always in a different capacity.
InFF6, they’re the soldiers who raid Narshe alongside Terra in an explosive introductory sequence. InFFX,they’re world-class blitzball players.
But they’re perhaps best known fortheir role inFF7, whereBiggs and Wedge are members of Avalanchewho put it all on the line for their home, the Sector 7 slums. No matter what their role, though, it’s always a pleasure to run into Biggs and Wedge.
9Cid From FF16 Is Cool Personified
More Than A Man
And speaking of recurringFinal Fantasycharacters,there’s always Cid. Debuting as an airship pilot inFF2, and appearing in some capacity in every mainline entry (and lots of spinoffs) since, Cid is probably themost consistent element inFinal Fantasyas a whole.
One of the coolest CIds, though, is his incarnation inFF16. This CId leads a Bearer liberation movement, commanding his own city and a small army of magic users. Brilliantly voice acted by Ralph Ineson,Cid balances a clever sense of humor with a strong sense of justice.
Like Biggs and Wedge, Cid’s appearance in everyFinal Fantasygame is cause for celebration. ButFF16’s Cid stands outwith his strong personality and emotional character arc.
8Dio Is An Unstoppable Sideshow
Macho Man
When it comes to iconic locations inFinal Fantasy 7, first comes Midgar, andthen comes the Gold Saucer. Corel’s monument to mini-games big and small, it’s a flashy, opulent eyesore, and the most fun you’ll have playingFF7.
Every bit as flashy as the Gold Saucer isits owner and operator, the muscle-bound Dio. Operating on his own philosophy of fun, Dio can be a help or a hindrance to the party, depending on how it serves him - he throws them in prison when he suspects them, and rescues them with a free car and some solid advice when they prove themselves.
Dio is a delightful presence, a bit of much-needed comic relief during a fairly bleak chapter of the game. He only makes a brief stay, buthis impact endures long after his screen time ends.
7Quina Is The Heart & Soul Of FF9
I No Can Eat!
Quina is one of few playable party members I’d still consider aFinal Fantasyside character, because they don’t have a particularly important role in the main story - they’re mostly just along for the ride. Quina isFF9’s resident Blue Mage, and their powers work much like any other: they can learn enemy moves.
However, Quina’s somewhat unique in thatthey learn new abilities by eating enemies. They’re a picky eater, too, often crying out “I no can eat!” when you direct them to chow down on a monster that has nothing to teach them.
Quina is a lot of fun to have around, but more importantly,their simple philosophy contrasts with the complex morality of the game’s more central characters. Or, as they would say, “World only have two things: things you can eat, and things you no can eat.”
6Moogles Are Some Of Final Fantasy’s Most Accomplished Creatures
Kupo!
Like Cid,Moogles make an appearance in almost everyFinal Fantasygame. Beneath their fluffy exteriors and cute catchphrases, though, there are some seriously great side characters among the series' wide-ranging cast of Moogles.
More so than that, though, they’re some of the busiest creatures in the series, serving as everything from save points to vendors to delivery Moogles.They’re often quest givers or mini-game facilitators, becoming an integral part of the gameplay. Although their appearance and roles often change, Moogles will always be Moogles.
Some Moogles have a little more sway,even making the jump from one game to the next.FF6’s Mog has become a bit of a staple, as hasFF9’s Stiltzkin, their names and personalities frequently recurring throughout the series.
5Hildibrand Manderville Is FF14’s Greatest Sidequest
The World’s Greatest Detective
Hildibrand Manderville was originally introduced as a comic relief character inFF14, a little entertaining diversion to bridge the gap between expansions and break up the usual monotony between patch quests. And for all intents and purposes, he still is comic relief - buthe’s grown into one of the series' best side characters.
Manderville is confident, cocky even, in skills he absolutely doesn’t have. He styles himself the world’s greatest detective, but when he does solve a mystery, it’s always with the player’s extensive help, or entirely by accident. He’s the king of slapstick,easily the funniest character in the entire game. He’s gone on to recur several times, with his coterie of colorful charactersreappearing in the unlikeliest of places.
4FF Tactics' Cid Is One Of The Series' Strongest Warriors
The Thunder God
Final Fantasy Tacticsalso has its ownCid, who easily ranks among the most powerful characters in the series. A general of the Order of the Southern Sky, Cid is accused of being a traitor, then broken out of prison by the player, at which point he joins their fighting force.
Cid starts as a Holy Swordsman, eventually learning a massive variety of sword-fighting techniques. He can inflict all sorts of different status effects, leaving his enemies weak before returning to deal massive damage.
Nicknamed Thunder God Cid, this particular variant ofFF’s most prolific recurring character is justincredibly satisfying to fight alongside. Here’s hopingthe upcomingTacticsremake does him justice- its developers have expresseda desire to weaken him.
3Gilgamesh Is Final Fantasy’s Biggest Personality
It’s Morphing Time
Gilgamesh was originally a comic relief boss inFF5who happened to haveone of the coolest battle themes in the entire series. Although full of bluster and a petty thief, he’s still a great warrior who often poses a significant challenge to the party.
But of course,Gilgamesh is much better known for his immense confidence, which contrasts with his clumsiness. Although an interdimensional threat, with some seriously powerful moves, he has a weakness for shiny new weapons, and often mistakes fakes for the real thing.
With one-liners that reference thePower Rangersand Team Rocket,Gilgamesh is a pop culture force to be reckoned with. Whenever you hear his battle theme, you know you’re in for a good time.
2Beatrix Should’ve Been A Permanent Playable Character
Rose Of May
PerhapsnoFinal Fantasyside character was more deserving of a starring rolethan Beatrix, general of Alexandria’s army inFF9. Beatrix begins the game fiercely loyal to Queen Brahne, a relentless soldier in her country’s service.
But, like many of the game’s characters,she eventually has a change of heart. After extensive soul-searching, she goes from adversary to ally, even briefly joining the player’s party.
Of course, Beatrix is still just a side character - after helping Steiner defend the people of Alexandria, she fades into the background once again. Buther brief story arc is incredibly powerful, demonstrating the inherent difficulty of changing one’s mind, even if it means standing up to wrongdoing.
1Laguna Is Final Fantasy’s Most Mysterious Side Character
FF8’s Alternate Protagonist
Final Fantasy 8follows two storylines: the main one, revolving around Squall, Rinoa, and the rest of the SeeDs as they search for the Sorceress and the truth to their identities. The second, though, followsLaguna, a Galbadian soldier-turned-actor-turned-politician.
Laguna is amusing, supportive, and courageous to a fault. He’s fiercely loyal to his friends, and strongly principled, even when it gets him into trouble. And, again,he has one of the best battle themes in the series.
Every time Laguna shows up, you’re glad to see him; every time the game cuts back to Squall, you wish Laguna had stayed longer. (Nothing personal, Squall.) He’s such an entertaining character with such a fascinating life, you almost wish he got his ownFinal Fantasygame.
